From my perspective, the the two most important issues facing our state are issues relating to climate change and demographics. These two factors profoundly touch on every aspect of Maine's economy and identity, from likely changes in our natural resource economy, sea level rise threatening our coastal communities, to work force availability, education policy, and tax base, just to name a few. These issues are even more vexing because they are long-term problems where any solution or mitigation is going to need to go beyond one legislature, one gubernatorial administration, and, truly, one generation.

I was honored to have been consulted on this story, which deals with immigration to Maine. While immigration is certainly not the only answer to our demographic puzzle, it is going to have to play an important role, and current administration policies (as well as those being favored on the Federal level by one of the Presidential Candidates) are doing nothing to encourage it.

Author

Erik C. Jorgensen represents Maine House District 41 - Part of Portland. This blog represents his own opinions and not those of the Maine Legislature, Maine Democrats, or anyone else. To read more about me, click here